JOB DESCRIPTION

Program: NOVA First Episode Psychosis Program

Job Classification: Low Intensive Care Coordination

Working Title: Care Coordinator

This is a direct care position for the NOVA Program. NOVA provides treatment for individuals ages 15-25 who are experiencing a first episode of psychosis. The focus of care coordination is to address the critical domains of functioning for youth/young adults, to include working, learning, living, belonging and healing through a strengths-based individualized team process.

Supervised By: NOVA Lead Clinician

Division: Children's Services

Normal Work Hours/Days: 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. – Monday – Friday. Flexibility in hours as required to meet client/family needs. On-call responsibilities will include weekend, night, and holiday coverage.

PRIMARY JOB FUNCTIONS:

Assist with meeting the needs of youth/young adults served by the NOVA program by facilitating their ability to live independently, obtaining employment, achieve their educational goals, and/or function in the community more effectively.

Complete strength-based needs assessments (CANS and/or SUN-R), and effectively implement written service plans based on the assessments to meet individualized goals and objectives.

Promote the involvement of youth/young adults, parents and other natural/community allies. Arrange, broker and provide necessary supports and services.

Work collaboratively with NOVA team members to ensure that all goals are being achieved.

To ensure that services provided are meaningful, respectful and promote self-determination.

Participate in the development of crisis and backup support plans for each youth/young adult.

Serve as a liaison between the youth/young adult, their family members and various service providers to ensure continuity of care, including information for the electronic medical record, such as Releases of Information, demographic data, initial paperwork, financial information, etc.

To work alongside families/care givers in providing information and supporting them emotionally and practically, provide psycho-education and co-lead Multi-family groups.

Develop and maintain adequately detailed and accurate documentation of services provided by the care coordinator and record these services in the electronic medical record.

Provide transportation when necessary.

Provide accurate information, both orally and written, for daily, weekly and monthly reports/meetings as stipulated by program demands.

Perform other duties as a NOVA team member as assigned by supervisor.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

Bachelor of Arts/Science, preferably in a human service field.

Enjoy working with youth/young adults

Valid Alabama driver's license and a suitable automobile to permit the required travel. Must show car insurance equal to or in excess of the State of Alabama standards for automobile insurance coverage.

Must become certified as a case manager by completing DMH-approved training

Must understand and endorse a recovery-oriented approach to providing services

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS AND ABILITIES:

Experience working with people who have serious ongoing mental health problems, to include those with severe emotional disturbance and serious mental illness.

Ability to engage with vulnerable and hard to reach young people.

Ability to promote recovery in young people with psychosis.

Ability to work with young people and their care takers/family in an educational and therapeutic way.

Ability to share skills and knowledge with others

Extensive knowledge of the community and available community resources.

Knowledge of the legal and ethical issues relative to confidentiality of client records and the ability to interpret and apply them.

Skills in interpersonal relationships and dynamics.

Considerable written and expressive communication skills.

Ability and willingness to document activities and maintain records according to agency standards.

Acquainted with the use and side effects of psychotropic medications.

Demonstrable ability to work independently and to make sound judgements regarding client care.

Experience of assessing and managing crisis in people with severe mental health problems.

Ability to communicate effectively with a multi-disciplinary team.

Ability to work flexible hours due to the special needs of the target population and their families.